St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs with Apple Cider Glaze
Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs coated in a sweet-tangy apple cider glaze, slow-smoked to perfection. This american-inspired st. patrick’s day ready in about 245 minutes pairs baby back pork ribs, brown sugar, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs baby back pork ribs
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove membrane from ribs and rub with 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Let rest for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Smoke ribs at 225°F for 3 hours, maintaining consistent heat, until tender.
- Step 3: Whisk together 1/2 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 1 tsp smoked paprika to make glaze. Brush over ribs and smoke for an additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with remaining glaze.
Frequently asked questions
How long does St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 245 minutes (35 min prep + 210 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs with Apple Cider Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep baby back pork ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs with Apple Cider Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs with Apple Cider Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs with Apple Cider Glaze?
American st. patrick’s day like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The apple cider glaze was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- ★★★★☆
Made these for my kids' St. Patrick's Day dinner—everyone devoured them, though they took 30 minutes longer than the recipe stated.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but the glaze was slightly too sweet for my palate. Still a 4!
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
